'This study supports the importance of controlling vascular risk factors like high blood pressure early in life in an effort to prevent dementia as we age.

'What's good for the heart is good for the brain.'

A growing body of evidence

The latest discovery backs up an array of recent research which shows exercising could help stave off dementia. Currently 47.5 million people worldwide are living with dementia and that number is is set to increase to 115.4 million by 2050 due to the aging population.